Transformed from a pure winger to a wide player covering the entire right flank, Matteo has added significant depth to the team`s play. His goal against Genoa marked a personal breakthrough, and in the 4-4-2 system, he is proving to be a valuable asset.
Lazio has found a new gear on the flanks. In Maurizio Sarri`s reconfigured 4-4-2 formation, the team`s attacking play has discovered fresh impetus from the wide channels. Matteo Cancellieri and Mattia Zaccagni have redefined their operational areas, or more precisely, their starting positions within the attacking build-up. Moving from being pure wingers in a 4-3-3 trident, they now operate as wide midfielders, bursting forward from the midfield line to drive play vertically. On Monday evening, at Marassi, Cancellieri and Zaccagni both scored, effectively opening and sealing Lazio`s victory against Genoa.
Spotlight on the Players
Cancellieri`s celebratory goal had a liberating effect. Not only did it brilliantly kick-start a match that demanded an immediate response from the Biancocelesti after disappointing defeats against Sassuolo and Roma, but for the 23-year-old Roman forward, it was also his first goal for Lazio. This milestone was reached in his thirty-fourth appearance for the club. He celebrated by tucking the ball under his shirt, a gesture indicating he`s soon to be a father to a baby girl. This goal underscores Cancellieri`s determined journey to reclaim a place in the Lazio squad.
Three years ago, he was acquired from Verona with the intention of transforming him into a center-forward, essentially Ciro Immobile`s backup. However, that plan quickly became complicated. Loan spells at Empoli and Parma followed, aimed at aiding his development. His return to Lazio this summer presented an unexpected opportunity. Amidst the club`s transfer market freeze and Isaksen`s absence due to mononucleosis, Cancellieri`s path to a starting role reopened. He has featured from the start in four league matches (only on the bench for the derby). While Isaksen is regaining full fitness, Cancellieri has further solidified his position with his performance in Genoa. His dynamic qualities support his demanding role across the entire flank. His tactical development highlights him as an emerging talent in Sarri`s new era.
In Genoa, Lazio played a style less focused on possession, instead prioritizing quick accelerations to create depth in their attacking play. Sarri has drawn a significant contribution from the wide channels for this tactical shift: Cancellieri on the right, Zaccagni on the left. They act not only as catalysts for rapid attacks but also as platforms for scoring goals.
In Genoa, the captain scored an away goal for the first time in over six months (his last was on March 2nd in a 2-1 victory against Milan), having previously netted on the second matchday in a win against Verona. Re-establishing scoring consistency is a seasonal priority for Zaccagni, who, under Sarri`s guidance, achieved his personal best of 10 league goals in the 2022-23 season when Lazio finished second. At 30, he is also completing his tactical growth as an orchestrator of offensive plays, centralizing his actions when necessary.
After undergoing surgery for pubalgia in late June, Zaccagni inevitably experienced a delay in his pre-season preparation, impacting his physical condition. He is now regaining his optimal form. The confirmation of the tactical setup deployed at Marassi is highly probable for Saturday`s match against Torino. This is not only due to the reliability demonstrated by the 4-4-2 system but also because of ongoing midfield absences. Therefore, Cancellieri and Zaccagni are poised to be key protagonists in the clash against Torino. Their speed can provide the necessary accelerations to make Sarri`s play more incisive, especially considering the current squad strengths. Their rediscovered scoring touch could prove to be an added value in Lazio`s push under Sarri towards more satisfying league positions. From the wings, “Il Comandante” (Sarri) is drawing new potential for a team that, even after failing to qualify for Europe at the end of last season, had seemingly lost its winning mentality.
